Private: Princess Mary's 40th Birthday

Philippe & Mathilde were among the guests at Crown Princess Mary of Denmark's 40th birthday party in Denmark. 

4 February 2012

On the evening of her 40th birthday, Mary hosted a private dinner party for her friends and relatives at Frederik VIIIs Palae at Amaienborg.Din ner for the 140 guests took place in Riddersalen & Havesalen, with everybody seated at round tables.

Queen Margrethe arrived with Carina Axelsson. Prince Henrik was also present.

 Crown prince Philippe & Princess Mathilde of Belgium, being picked up from the airport and arriving at Frederik & Mary's home.

 Princess Alexandra von Sayn Wittgenstein Berleburg. Behind her: Prince Nikolaos of Greece.

Not shown on these pictures but also present were Mary's sister Jane Donaldson and Mary's Australian friend Amber Petty. Also present: prince Pavlos & princess Marie Chantal of Greece.

Brother and sister: Count Valdemar and Countess Marina af Rosenborg.

Count Michael & Countess Caroline Ahlefeldt-Laurvig-Bille with Ellen Hillingsø.

Peter & Caroline Heering.

Countess Jean Ahlefeldt-Laurvig & Baroness Caroline Fleming.

Holger Foss & Rose Gad.

Tanja & Chris Minh Doky.

Marie-Louise Heering & Marc Høm.

Rikke & Michael Juul Brandt.

Søren Jessen & Julie Mølsgaard.

Malou & Jørgen Skeel.

Christian & Elisabeth Buchwald.

Bendt & Pernille Wedell-Wedellsborg.

Peter Warnøe.

Count Otto & Countess Helle Reedtz-Thott. 

Countess Victoria Bernstorff-Gyldensteen.

Lego heiress Sofie Kirk Kristiansen & husband Christopher Kjær Thomsen.

At midnight champagne was served and birthday songs were sung. There was a performance by rapper L.O.C.

Diplomatic Contact Days 2026

3 February 2026

The annual diplomatic contact days are taking place in Brussels this week. This means all Belgian ambassadors, permanent representatives and consuls-general from around the world come together in to share experiences, exchange knowledge and strengthen Belgian diplomacy.

Part of this week is the reception at the royal palace with King Philippe & Queen Mathilde.

Ahead of the reception, Philippe & Mathilde had audiences with the Belgian ambassadors of the countries they will be visiting later this year.

COMING UP State Visit #19: Kazakhstan

In October 2026 King Philippe & Queen Mathilde will be making a state visit to Kazakhstan.

Jewels: Diamond Earrings

At King Carl Gustav of Sweden's 70th birthday dinner in April 2016, Queen Mathilde was seen wearing these diamond earrings for the first time.

Other occasions:

In July 2024, Crown Princess Elisabeth wore them for the first time.